What is the difference between a T-Bone and a Porterhouse? (2024)
The T-Bone and the Porterhouse: Two very different names for two very similar steaks.
If you remember nothing else about these two cuts of steak, remember this: The porterhouse is a bigger version of the T-Bone.
The T-Bone is one of the most easily-identifiable steaks. It has a T-shaped bone running through it, making it easy to spot in our meat case. Beef industry data shows the T-Bone is growing in popularity.
The T-Bone is cut from the short loin, and actually has two different steaks attached to the bone. On the long side is the strip. If you would take that strip and cut it away from the bone, you would have Rube’s New York Strip.
On the smaller side of the T-bone is the tenderloin. When that piece of meat is separated from the bone, it can be cut into steaks called Filet Mignon. Of course, if you leave all the meat attached to the bone, you have the T-Bone.Give a T-Bone in the Taste of Rube's Christmas package
Remember, the difference between a T-bone and Porterhouse is size, specifically on the tenderloin side. The steak on the left is one our T-Bones. The steak on the right is a Porterhouse. You can see the Porterhouse has a significantly larger portion of filet meat. Here at Rube’s our T-Bones weigh approximately 20 oz. while the Porterhouse weighs approximately 26 oz.
These large steaks are best grilled rather than pan-cooked. Whether you use charcoal, gas or a wood smoker, the taste will be incredible.
While Porterhouse steaks are cut from the rear area of the short loin
short loin
Short loin is the American name for a cut of beef that comes from the back of the cattle. It contains part of the spine and includes the top loin and the tenderloin.
, T-Bones are cut closer to the front. This gives the Porterhouse a little bit more of the tenderloin than the T-Bone. So when you're looking at a T-Bone and a Porterhouse side-by-side, you'll notice the Porterhouse is bigger.
In terms of flavor, most steak lovers claim that because the porterhouse steak vs.T-bone has more of the tenderloin filet, the entire steak is more tender and perhaps a bit milder. The T-bone, without that large tenderloin portion, tends to have a bit more of a beefy flavor than their near relative, the porterhouse.
These cuts—ribeye, New York strip loin, and filet mignon—can certainly be dubbed the best, and few will disagree. “Filet is the most tender cut, but has the least amount of flavor. Ribeye is the most flavorful, but the least tender of the three, and New York is in the middle.” Flannery explains.
It's a cut from the rear end of the short loin, where the tenderloin and strip portion are larger, and because of this the Porterhouse includes more tenderloin steak than T-bone, along with a larger New York strip steak. A bone holds the New York and tenderloin cuts together, creating the Porterhouse cut.
A porterhouse steak includes strip steak on one side of the bone and a tenderloin filet on the other side of the bone. These are the same meats that a T-bone steak has, but the filet on a porterhouse is generally larger and thicker than that of a T-bone.
A tomahawk steak is a bone-in ribeye steak that has been trimmed to resemble the shape of a tomahawk, cut from the beef rib. It's a cut that includes the eye of ribeye, the ribeye cap, and the complexus.
Cowboy steaks (aka Cowboy Ribeye Steaks, Bone-In Ribeye Steaks) are a more impressive version of a classic steakhouse favorite. Compared to a standard ribeye steak, these are larger, containing more meat beyond the eye, and a frenched (cleaned of meat & fat) portion of bone protruding from one end.
Shank. Shank is arguably the toughest, cheapest cut of beef. Located in front of the brisket at the cow's forearm, this beef cut is notable for its sinewy dryness. Due to its lack of popularity, shank is not typically found in retail stores.
Often referred to as “the king of steaks”, the Porterhouse is actually two steaks in one. One side of the bone yields a succulent and tender tenderloin, while the other side yields a flavourful striploin. Porterhouse steaks are famous for their size.
A porterhouse steak is a New York strip and a delicate filet mignon separated by a T-shaped bone. It's considered by many to be the undisputed ruler of the steakhouse. By combining the tender filet with the beefy New York strip it eliminates decision making for many diners.
The T-bone is cut from the front of the short loin, which captures the tapered part of the tenderloin; the tenderloin portion of the porterhouse is larger than it is on the T-bone, because the porterhouse is cut farther back. This larger tenderloin portion gives the porterhouse a higher price tag.
Everyone has their own unique taste preferences, but if you're debating between porterhouse vs. ribeye, you really can't go wrong with a bone-in ribeye steak (like the two shown below). However, if you want a leaner, healthier steak, it's better to choose a porterhouse vs.a ribeye, as ribeye contains more fat.
Most ribeye cuts are boneless, and even the few variations with a bone are usually from the rib section. On the other hand, a cowboy ribeye is a large muscle usually found in the cow's back and above the rib cage. The long rib bone gives it a distinctive appearance resembling a cowboy's axe or tomahawk.
Everyone has their own unique taste preferences, but if you're debating between porterhouse vs. ribeye, you really can't go wrong with a bone-in ribeye steak (like the two shown below). However, if you want a leaner, healthier steak, it's better to choose a porterhouse vs. a ribeye, as ribeye contains more fat.
If you're a ravenous meat monger, the porterhouse definitely wins out, but if you're looking to savor a delicious yet manageable meal for one, the ribeye may be a more suitable cut. All in all, both the porterhouse steak and ribeye steak are two fantastically flavorful, high-quality cuts of meat.
Owing to their large size, and as they contain meat from two of the most prized cuts of beef (the short loin and the tenderloin), T-bone steaks are generally considered one of the highest quality steaks, and prices at steakhouses are accordingly high.
Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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